By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

House Speaker Augustine Mesebeluu has agreed to pay restitution in the total amount of over $19,000 in connection with expenditures of government funds for travels.
Special Prosecutor Everett Walton said that he has settled claims against Mesebeluu in connection with the lawmakers’ default of previous settlement agreements arising from expenditures of government funds for disputed travel expenses and contingency funds on alleged official trips.
A statement from the special prosecutor said that Mesebeluu has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $12,838.28 and a civil penalty in the amount of $6,419.14 for a total of $19,257.42 to the National Treasury.
The settlement also stated that Mesebeluu will also refrain from traveling internationally using Palau government funds and to refrain from making, authorizing or approving any expenditure or entering into any contracts on behalf of the House of Delegates.
The settlement, according to the statement increases the total amount of settlement and judgments for restitution, civil penalties and fines arising from disputed travel expenses and expenditures of representation funds and contingency funds obtained from 25 current and former members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau to $319,054.82.
The statement further added that there are still cases pending against former lawmakers.